SUPRISE TULFO INSPECTION AFTERMATH: LTFRB-7 issues show cause orders to 5 bus operators

Local

DAYS after Sen. Raffy Tulfo slammed the poor state of cebu’s public transport and described defective buses as “running coffins,” the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Central Visayas (LTFRB m-7) issued show-cause orders against five bus operators whose units failed to meet safety standards.

The inspection began on April 7, 2025, just three days after Tulfo’s surprise visit to the Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT), where he flagged numerous violations ranging from expired fire extinguishers to dangerously modified clutch pedals tied with rubber.

Buses continued operating despite these defects, prompting Tulfo to call them a disaster waiting to happen.

Among the violations observed by LTFRB-7 were defective tires, broken windshields, malfunctioning gears, and the absence of emergency tools.

The agency ordered the immediate removal of these units from the road and imposed a fine of P5,000 per violation.

The fines would still apply even if the operators corrected the defects. Repeat violations would incur higher penalties, P10,000 for the second offense and P15,000 for the third, along with a 30-day franchise suspension.

The enforcement action followed Tulfo’s highly publicized inspection on April 4, which he uploaded to his official TikTok page.

The video showed the senator confronting CNBT officials and highlighting the dangerous condition of several buses, one of which he said was so poorly maintained it resembled a “moving ataol,” or coffin.

The term “running coffin” quickly gained traction online, drawing national attention to what he called a longstanding neglect of passenger safety.

Beyond the condition of the buses, Tulfo also inspected terminal facilities. He found that electric fans meant for passengers were turned off, while staff remained in air-conditioned offices.

Only two baggage pushcarts were available, of which one broken and the other barely usable.

He raised concern over the lack of metal detectors and proper inspection protocols, warning that passengers could easily bring weapons onboard.

Terminal supervisor Carmen Quijano admitted that she had raised these issues with Topline, the private contractor managing CNBT operations, but said no improvements had been made.

Tulfo urged her to issue a formal warning or consider terminating the contract if the situation remained unresolved.

The senator later met with LTFRB 7 officials, including Officer-in-Charge Atty. Edwin Antepuesto, and criticized the agency’s failure to conduct regular inspections.

Antepuesto admitted their last inspection was conducted the previous year, with the next one only scheduled during Holy Week.

Tulfo emphasized the need for unannounced and routine inspections and warned that if such inaction persisted, a Senate probe into LTFRB 7’s performance could follow.

He also suggested that continued negligence could justify personnel changes at the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

LTFRB-7 Regional Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. acknowledged that Tulfo’s inspection spurred the agency to act more decisively.

He said the feedback would help their central office determine areas that need immediate attention and added that a board resolution was being considered to address overlapping responsibilities in road transport regulation.(MyTVCebu)